Career in Art

Students wishing to pursue a career in visual art may seek degree programs in fine arts at the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Aspiring artists receive the technical training and theoretical knowledge about the specific subject.

For admission into a two-year associates or four-year bachelor’s degree program, students must have a 12th certificate or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree programs in art offer multiple areas of concentration, including graphic design, drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography and illustrating. For acceptance into a bachelor’s program, applicants have to submit a portfolio displaying their skill, creativity and style. To enter a master’s program, applicants need a Bachelor’s of Arts (BA) or Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (BFA) with a concentration in visual art, along with the submission of a art portfolio. Bachelor’s degree holders in other disciplines must display an extensive knowledge and proficiency in art to be accepted. Graduate programs generally take four years to complete and result in a Master of Fine Arts or Master of Arts, which are the terminal degrees for professional art training.

Popular Careers

There many job opportunities for a graduate with a fine arts degree. Established visual artists freelance creating original artwork for museums or art buyers. Firms, businesses and organizations that have artistic needs, may hire artists. Common job titles of visual artists include:

Illustrator

Painter

Sculptor

Cartoonist

Printmaker

Fine artists work in a studio setting to create pieces such as paintings, sculptures or tapestries. They may work with a vast range of media, from metal to glass to fabric. They aim to get their work placed in galleries or museums or sold to private patrons. Job openings for fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators, were expected to increase by 4% from 2012-2022, according to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics)